Emperor penguins with chicks - Aptenodytes
forsteri

When the chicks are
larger and able to maintain their own body temperature,
both parents are then able to leave them alone to go and
fish for food to feed themselves and the growing chick.
If it gets cold then the chicks then huddle together in
"creches" for warmth and protection. while both parents
are able to go off to collect food at the same time to provide
for the ever increasing needs of the growing chick.

Chick survival has a lot to do with how
the ice breaks up and so how easy it is for parents to reach
the sea. If the parents have to travel long distances, many
chicks will die of starvation. If the ice edge remains close,
then the parents will be able to provide more food and the
chicks stand a better chance of survival.

The colonies begin to disperse as the sea
ice begins to break up in December and January, the chicks
are then able to fend for themselves leaving the adults
to moult their feathers ( a time when they stay out of the
water) and so are not able to feed.